There's only one reference to Tarkin in Episodes I thru III (that I know of), and that was at the very end of Revenge of the Sith. It's the scence where Vader and Sidious are looking at the construction of the Death Star. In the wide shot, you can see a guy standing close to them who looks just like a young Tarkin.

According to some of the Star Wars literature that I've read, the Moffs were created by Palpatine during the early years of the Empire. To avoid a coup or assassination attempt by one of the Moffs, Palpatine created the position of Grand Moff. The idea was that the Grand Moff would be so worried about being usurped by a Moff that he wouldn't have time or resources to make an attempt on the Emperor's life.

"Back when I played college ball at Va Tech..."

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Some of you may be asking yourself, "what is the Spoonhouse?". Unfortunately, there is no clear answer since, like most legends, the actual
origins are shrouded in mystery and doubt. What I can tell you is that Spoonhouse 99 was an incident that will not soon be forgotten by
those who were there. It is partially responsible for shaping some of the demented individuals who contribute to this blog. (Although the
Holly public school system is mostly to blame for that.)